Total Articles: 4

When it comes to a textbook case of workplace harassment, an employer’s job is generally straightforward – record the victim’s complaint; interview the victim, the alleged harasser and any potential witnesses; gather evidence; and implement interim measures to separate the victim and the alleged harasser. Then, impose any necessary discipline if harassment is confirmed.

Your human resources director has brought you a tough one: one of your sales employees has complained that her Sales Manager harassed her sexually, and had made disparaging racial remarks about a customer. You're stunned because the manager has been a good performer, generating good numbers and seems like a real straight arrow guy. What do you do?

The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals recently dismissed a sexual harassment lawsuit brought against an employer, stressing that federal courts should avoid second guessing or "micro-managing internal investigations." According to the Eleventh Circuit, the court's focus should be on the "reasonableness of the investigation," rather than vetting the specific nuances of the company's response.